With springtime right around the corner, more people are flaring up the barbecue grills and getting ready to cook up some meat. The smell of the neighbors grilling hot dogs and hamburgers outdoors is one of the most recognizably nostalgic smells that many people notice. Grilling hot dogs and hamburgers is not always easy to do, though. In fact, many people think it takes a special skill to grill the meats just right. With a few simple tips and techniques, anybody can try their skills at grilling hot dogs and hamburgers to a tasty perfection.

Before firing up the grill, decide on the other meat that you want to prepare on the grill. Grilling hot dogs and hamburgers are a perfect combination, but some grilling enthusiasts prefer to cook steak and chicken on the grill. Ribs, shish kabobs, and other foods can be cooked on the grill as well, but grilling hot dogs and hamburgers is the ideal combination for an informal get together with family and friends.

In addition to deciding on the right combination of meats to cook up on the grill, the next step to a successful barbecue is to get the right ingredients. The local supermarket has everything you will need for a successful day of grilling outdoors. Remember to get high-quality hot dogs because they will cook better and taste better once they are grilled.

While hot dogs and hamburgers will make for a great barbecue, there are some other side items and materials that help make a day of grilling as memorable they were in the past.

Remember to buy both hamburger and hot dog buns. Many people enjoy eating the hot dogs straight from the grill, but having buns on hand is ideal for the guests who prefer eating them with a bun.

A barbecue is not complete without a good barbecue sauce. You can find a wide variety of sauces at the local supermarket nowadays, so the one you pick is mainly based on personal preference. Many companies have barbecue sauce with honey, mesquite flavors, and spicier choices. If in doubt, you can buy a couple different varieties so your guests can choose which one they prefer when you start grilling.

Condiments are another important ingredient to a successful day of grilling. If you have several guests coming to enjoy your cookout, have a wide array of condiments for them to choose from. In addition to the normal mustard and ketchup, buy some relish, mayonnaise and anything else you can think of. While you do not need to buy everything from the condiment aisle, it always helps to have a wide selection. Many people even enjoy coleslaw on their grilled hot dogs. If you have some coleslaw on hand, others might try that and have a new favorite method for eating hot dogs.

The rest of the side items are up to you. Besides grilling hot dogs and hamburgers, items such as potato salad, potato chips, macaroni salad, and baked beans are also traditional foods prepared for a successful cookout.

Buy some cheese for the hamburgers as well as lettuce, tomato and onions. A fresh dessert to finish off the meal is always a good idea.

Once you have decided on the food to cook, the next thing you need to buy is the cooking products. If you are using a charcoal grill, buy a bag of charcoal, lighter fluid and some long matches. If you prefer, you can even get charcoal that is pre-soaked so you will not need the lighter fluid. Some companies even have charcoal that you light without taking it out of the bag. If you are using a gas grill, make sure your propane tank has enough gas to grill for a couple hours and inspect everything to make sure it is working properly.

After you get home from shopping for these ingredients, you can now ready the grill. If you have chosen the normal charcoal that needs lighter fluid, stack the briquettes in the grill in the shape of a pyramid near the middle of the grill. For every two pounds of charcoal, squirt approximately ½ cup of lighter fluid on the stack. Once it soaks in for a few minutes, light it with a long match. This helps to ensure that you are not burned in the process. If you are using a gas grill, turn the gas on according to proper procedure. Remember to use proper safety precautions whichever method you decide to use.

Once the charcoal briquettes are on fire, let them burn for about 20-30 minutes.

They will eventually turn white and ashy. This is a signal that they are ready to use for cooking. Use a utensil to spread the coals evenly throughout the bottom of the grill.

Next, place the grill over the heated charcoals and bring the meat out on a plate. Remember to use a different plate once the meat is cooked as a proper health precaution. If you are grilling hot dogs as well as other meats, place the other meats in the middle of the grill and the hot dogs around the edges. Hot dogs are already precooked, so they just need to be warmed up.

When one side of the meat has been cooked, flip it over to cook the other side. With the cooked side up, slather it with your barbecue sauce of choice. Do the same with the hot dogs. While grilling hot dogs, turn them often so they do not burn. You are looking for a slight blister around the hot dogs to show that they are cooked to perfection. Each time you turn them, put some sauce on them until the entire hot dog has been covered.

You can ask your guests how they prefer their meat before taking them off the grill. Some people prefer burned hot dogs and well-done hamburgers while others prefer them slightly cooked. You can also put butter on the inside of the buns and warm them up slightly on the grill for an added touch of taste.

Have the condiments prepared and ready to serve as well as the side items and the fixings. If you have somebody that is willing to help you, have them prepare the other products while you watch the grill. This will make everything go much smoother and will also be less exhausting for you. It will also keep you and your guests from getting too hungry while waiting for the food to be served. Once everything is prepared, you can sit back and enjoy your hard work and watch others delight in your grilling skills.

Since grilling out is the perfect activity that provides quality time for family and friends, many people enjoy doing this once the weather becomes warm. Grilling out also tends to be the official beginning and ending of summer as many people choose to have their first barbecue on Memorial Day and the last one of the year on Labor Day. Whenever you decide to grill out with friends and family, having the right skills and ideal ingredients will be sure to create an enjoyable time for all who participate.

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